Amusement device.



J. C. GRIESEL.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE. APPLICATION mp0 1ULY5. 191a.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5. I916- 11 0, 9O Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1916.

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AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

Application filed July 5, 1916. Serial No. 107,635.

Broadly stated, this invention comprehends the provision of an amusement de vice, by means of which the national game of base ball can be scored, although it. is primarily intended for use at carnivals, picnic grounds, and other amusement places, where prizes are given to persons obtaining a certain number of hits with a given number of balls, or striking out the bat.

ter with the least number of balls.

The nature and advantages of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, the invention however residing in the scope of what is claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure 1 shows the relative position of the figures.

Fig. 2 is a rear View.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. A is a rear elevation of the figure representing the catcher.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view therethrough.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in detail A and B are two figures representing base ball players, the figure A being indicative of the batter, while the figure B is indicative of the catcher. The figures can be constructed from any suitable material, and are preferably made up of a plurality of wooden sections, each ooInprising a body section 10, to the lower edge of which is secured the sections 11 representing the limbs of the player, while the sections 12 represent the arms, the body section 10 of course being provided with a head portion 13. The sections are formed and joined together in the manner to permit the figures to be conveniently boxed for shipping, while the relative dimensions of the sections produce figures of life size. Both of the figures A and B respectively will be suitably padded and uniformed.

In the hands 12 of the figure A is a bat 14, which latter is pivotally mounted for swinging movement, preferably in a horizontal plane. Arranged at the opposite sides of the bat 14; are springs 15 which have their corresponding outer ends secured to the bat in any suitable manner, for the purpose to be hereinafter described, the opposite ends of the springs being secured to an appropriate part of the figure A. The bat is normally held stationary directly in front of the figure A by means of a trigger, which as shown in this instance consists of an arm 16 pivoted at one end upon the figure A and provided with an offset terminal 17 adapted to be received within a screw eye 18 in the bat. The figure A is preferably supported by the headed elements 19 slidably fitted within suitable guides 20 on the limbs 11 and adapted to be driven into the ground or surface The figure A is preferably supported with one foot slightly in advance of the other representing the batter in his position at the home plate.

The catcher B is supported in a similar manner immediately at one side of the batter, except that the catcher is further braced by means of the rod 21. The head portion 13 of the catcher is covered with a mask 22, while covering the body section 10 is a chest protector 23. Concealed under the uniform and chest protector of the catcher is a strike board 24L, of suitable dimensions, the board being yieldably mounted and normally held in its foremost position by means of the springs 25. Signaling devices of any suitable character, are indicated at 26 and are disposed in the path of movement of the strike board 24: to be operated thereby when the board is moved to its rearmost position. The arms 12 of the catcher are pivotally mounted upon the opposite sides of the body. section 10 and normally disposed in a horizontal position, the arms being connected to the ofiset terminals 27 of a yoke 28, which latter is pivotally mounted on the body section 10 at the rear thereof, and operatively connected with the head 13 of the catcher by means of the rod 29 for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

In use, the figures A and B are arranged in their relative playing positions in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, while the playing field is marked off along the first and third base lines from the home plate 0. The player then takes his position in advance of the batter at a predetermined distance therefrom, and delivers the balls to the batter. If the device is used for playing the national game of base ball, it is the object of the player to strike the batter out, which is accomplished by hitting the bat 14 with a thrown .ball in a manner to release the trigger 16 but at the same time prevent the ball from being hit into fair territory. Of course the impact of the ball against the bat moves the latter rearwardly, permitting the trigger 16 to gravitate to an inoperative position, while the forward spring 15 is placed under tension. The springs 15 then function to swing the bat in a horizontal plane, which givesthe batter. the appearance of striking at the ball, and is recorded as a strike. The player may miss the bat entirely, but

if the throw is in line for a strike, that is to say within a given area either above or below the bat 14:, the ball will strike the breast protector 23 of the catcher, the force of the impact driving the strike board 24 rearw'ardly to sound the signals 26, which is evidence of a strike. If however, the

pitch is wild, that is to say that the ball' is'not brought in contact With either the bat or the breast protector 23 it is recorded a ball, four balls entitling the batter to a base, while three strikes retires the batter as in the well known game ofbase ball. The player however in attempting to strike the. batter out will often strike the bat 14 with the ball in a manner whereby the 'ball will be driven into fair territory, and which play is recorded a hit entitling the batter to a base. This system of scoring is continued until the player succeeds in securing three outs," when the player of the opposition takes his place in the pitchers boX.

However the device herein illustrated is primarily intended for use at carnivals and other amusement places, wherein a predetermined number of balls are sold for a certain sum, and prizes given to the person obtaining a certain number of hits with a given number of balls, or the person striking out the batter with the least number of balls, which is of course three.v The player delivers the ball to the batter, from therequisite distance, and if he succeeds in hitting the bat with the ball in a manner so that the ball will be driven in fair territory it is recorded a hit. If on the other hand he succeeds in hitting the bat to cause the latter to swing upon its pivot, without driving the ball into fair territory this is recorded a strike. Again, if the make a wild pitch striking the mask tality of the strike board 24, a strike is recorded for the player. Should the player 22, the head 13 of the catcher will be forced backwardly upon its pivot 30, whereupon the yoke 28 through the instrumentality of the connecting rod 29, will be moved upon its pivot, thereby forcing the arms of the catcher upwardly and resembling an attempt to catch the ball. The weight of the arms will automatically return the parts to their normal position. It might here be stated that the terms hit and strike as used in the claims are'to be interpreted within the limits of the definition of these terms as hereinabove outlined.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature of the invention will be readily apparent,"I desire to have it understoodfthat'what is herein shown is merely illustrative of'one embodiment of the invention, to which I do not limit myself, and that such changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be re holding the bat stationary and adapted to' be released upon movement of the bat in one direction, and resilient means operable to swing the bat in reverse directions upon release of the latter.

3. A device of the class described comprising a figure representing a batter, and,

a figure representing a catcher disposed in juXta-position to said batter, the last mentioned figure having a 'movably mounted head and arms, and means connecting said parts to automatically move said arms upward when said head is moved rearwardly.

4. An amusement device comprising a figure representing a batter, and a figure representing a catcher disposed in juata-position to the batter, a bat associated with the batter for swinging movement and disposed in the path of perfectly thrown balls, a strike board pivoted on the figure representing the catcher for rocking movement, and an audible signal normally spaced from each end of said board and operable when the board is brought into engagement therewith.

5. An amusement device comprising a figure representing abatter, and a figure representing a catcher disposed in juxta-position to said batter, a bat associated with the batter for swinging movement and disposed in the path of perfectly thrown balls, means normally holding the bat stationary, a strike board yieldably supported upon the figure representing the catcher, an audible signal supported upon said figure at the rear of said board and operable with the yielding of the latter, said figures being padded, and said strike board being wholly concealed from view by the uniform of its associated figure.

6. An amusement device comprising a figure representing a batter, and a figure representing a catcher disposed in juxta-posltion to the batter, a bat associated with the batter for horizontal swinging movement and disposed in the path of perfectly thrown balls, and means for normally holding the bat stationary, a strike board pivotally mounted upon the figure representing the catcher for rocking movement, yieldable means normally holding said board in a vertical position, and audible signals supported at the rear of the board and operable when the board is brought into engagement therewith.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN G. GRIESEL,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. G. 

